Give your PC a Fresh Start (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Reset this PC and fresh start in Windows 10? ›

Windows 10 Fresh Start VS Reset (Remove Everything Option)

Reset this PC (Remove everything option) will delete all apps, personal files, and Windows settings. But, Fresh start can keep your personal files and some settings.

To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started. Then, select Keep my files, choose cloud or local, change your settings, and set Restore preinstalled apps? to No.

Not completely! Reset will usually bring back your computer to its state out of the box. A clean install will wipe out everything and just install windows 10 itself without any third party software added by you before install.

It is a good idea IF your PC is not running good. When you use your PC for a long time (for example, an year) and keep installing and uninstalling different programs, keep copying data to your hard drive and deleting it etc things like that, your PC starts to slow down. In that case, a fresh start is a good idea.

Reset will usually bring back your computer to its state out of the box. A clean install will wipe out everything and just install windows 10 itself without the bloat programs added by your computer manufacturer.

On Windows 10, you can use the “Reset this PC” feature to factory reset the computer to the default settings removing everything from all the drives. This feature comes in handy when the computer isn't working correctly, is running slow, or having battery or app problems.

Running a factory reset, also referred to as a Windows Reset or reformat and reinstall, will destroy all data stored on the computer's hard drive and all but the most complex viruses with it. Viruses can't damage the computer itself and factory resets clear out where viruses hide.

Fresh Start helps remove pre-installed (OEM) apps that are typically installed with a new PC. In this context, it is almost identically to a wipe. The only advantage of Fresh Start is it removes OEM-preloaded applications (Bloatware).

Resetting reinstalls Windows 11, but lets you choose whether to keep your files or remove them, and then reinstalls Windows.

Fresh Start can take 20 minutes or longer to complete depending on your device.

Will reset my PC remove Windows? ›

1. No, you will not lose your Windows OS if your factory restores your computer. It will instead reinstall a fresh update of Windows 10.

The Fresh Start device action removes any apps that are installed on a PC running Windows 10, version 1709 or later. Fresh Start helps remove pre-installed (OEM) apps that are typically installed with a new PC.

When you reset something, you start it over again or adjust it. If you accidentally set your alarm to go off at 3:00 am, you'll have to sleepily reset it for 7:00 am.

Pros: It's basically guaranteed to wipe out what's plaguing you. Cons: You're reinstalling the system from scratch, so unless you have comprehensive backups there may be some data loss. It may take a lot of time to set the machine back up the way you had it. When should you use it?

A clean install can improve computer performance and speed, which may not be possible with an in-place upgrade, especially on an old system that's been running the same version for a long time. A clean install can give your Windows registry a fresh start.

As a factory reset takes away all your data, it is essential to Backup before the process. It usually takes around 30 minutes to 3 hours to reset, depending on your device configuration.

The resetting process removes the applications and files installed on the system, then reinstalls Windows and any applications that were originally installed by your PC's manufacturer, including trial programs and utilities.

As mentioned above, when you reset your PC, you will lose your data and installed programs saved in the Windows installation drive. It will also remove third-party device drivers and personal settings.

All the settings on the computer will be reset to their default settings, and all the applications that weren't originally on the computer when it left the factory will be deleted, along with all the information they contained.

Factory resets remove most viruses

Performing a hard reset will get rid of most viruses on your device because it wipes everything away. When you return your phone to its original state, the process removes all programs and files from your device and leaves your phone with a clean slate.

How do I know if my PC has a virus? ›

Fresh Start removes everything including OEM bundled software and hardware drivers.

No matter what your age, your career, or your stage in life, a fresh start may be the only thing standing between you and a new life. Finding a new way to do routine tasks or leaving something that is no longer working is a great way to begin again.

Factory resetting a device is a very different process than a blanket disk format (wipe). Factory resetting targets specific, user-writeable partitions on a device and restores them to a “known good” state.

an opportunity to begin something again: Ramirez is looking forward to a fresh start with his new team.

If you will perform a Factory Reset, it will reinstall Windows 10 Home. However, if you will do a Clean Installation, it will reinstall Windows 10 Pro just make sure to Create USB Installation media on the same computer with the "Use recommended settings" option checked.

The answer is NO. You do not have to reinstall your operating system if you reset your computer to factory settings. Resetting your computer to factory settings is handy for correcting problems with the PC's hard drive or the Windows OS.

Reinstall Windows for the ultimate fresh start

Reinstalling Windows will speed up your computer by removing junk files and apps that you no longer want. It also removes viruses, malware, and adware. In short, it will return Windows to its most clean state.

Once you wipe your PC, any installed software will be lost, and if you're upgrading to a new PC, you'll need to reinstall your software on your new device. To review which software is currently installed on your old device, make sure you know the corresponding install discs and serial numbers for your new laptop PC.

It is a good idea to wipe your computer if you are planning to upgrade to a new system, or are selling or recycling an old computer. Wiping the computer not only gets rid of any malware, but also ensures that the sensitive data and personal information stored on your PC doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Is there a difference between reset and restart? ›

Unlike a reset which changes something, a restart means to turn something on, possibly without changing settings.

A “reboot” simply restarts your wireless router, while a “reset” restores your router to its default factory settings. You'll want to perform a reset only if you're troubleshooting and reboots don't work.

Resetting reinstalls Windows 10, but lets you choose whether to keep your files or remove them, and then reinstalls Windows. You can reset your PC from Settings, the sign-in screen, or by using a recovery drive or installation media.

A restart would be probably be used if there were a major change to functionality, while a reset often just changes settings of existing functionality. Start up is used to describe something during a restart, for example a first screen that you see might be referred to as a Start up screen.

Reset This PC is a repair tool for serious operating system problems, available from the Advanced Startup Options menu in Windows 11 and Windows 10. The Reset This PC tool keeps your personal files (if that's what you want to do), removes any software you have installed, and then reinstalls Windows.

No, you will not lose your Windows OS if your factory restores your computer. It will instead reinstall a fresh update of Windows 10.

On a Windows computer, a soft reset can be performed by clicking on the "Restart" button in the operating system, or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Delete.